Summary
Out of 70.000 citizens of the town Obrenovac almost 42.000 of them, living near TENT, have respiratory or other health problems, according to a medical study published by Elektroprivreda Srbija in 2000. Continuous air pollution from gases - sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides (NOx) is the prevailing problem, as well as pollution of the Sava river, and intensive soil contamination in the ash dumps.The situation changed in the last several years. During the past 15 years electro filters have been installed on the TENT A plant and hydraulic transport of ash at the TENT B landfill was modernised. This project reduced the levels of atmospheric pollution from NOx directly eliminating serious health hazards.
This project is the result of The Energy Community Treaty signed by the EU Commission and Serbia with legal requirement for environmental checks on energy plants and addressing the worst polluters. That is why the EPS decided to give priority to alignment with the EU standards, as during the construction of the existing TPPs in 1985, there were no legal regulations concerning emission limits at the republic level, and no measures were taken to reduce sulphur and nitrogen oxide emissions into the atmosphere.
It caused a high incidence of respiratory illnesses, particularly among children and acid rains damaging crop, agricultural products and forestry. Since 2004, European Union is assisting with environmental improvement around the TENT with about EUR 200 million.
The result: total dust emission from TPP Nikola Tesla A and B was reduced by 85%. The air quality around the TPP was more improved, number of people suffering from respiratory illnesses in this area was reduced, as were soil and forestry contamination.
Detailed information
The Green Book of the Electric Power Industry of Serbia
http://www.eps.rs/Documents/Bezbednost/EPS%20-%20The%20Green%20Book%20-%20Annex%20IV.pdf